Manipur CM for closer cooperation with Nagaland

Kohima, December 5: Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh today proposed collaboration between Manipur and Nagaland to unlock the full potential of the two States and fulfil the aspiration of the people, especially that of the youth.

"There are many untapped opportunities which Manipur and Nagaland as neighbours' should jointly leverage to unlock the full potential of our two states and fulfil the aspiration of our people especially that of the youth," he said.

Biren Singh, who was the chief guest on Day-5 of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, said there are many things that connect the two states of Manipur and Nagaland and its people based on their shared history and close cultural affinities. He opined that the two States must build a foundation upon which the people and institutions of the two States can collaborate and cooperate with a strong sense of common purpose. He maintained that shared prosperity and collective gains can result only from shared vision and collective action.

Biren also suggested joint promotion of the two biggest state festivals of the two States - the "Manipur Sangai festival" and the "Nagaland Hornbill Festival" which is held in the first 10 days of December. Citing the fiercest and deciding battles of the 2nd World War which were fought in Imphal and Kohima, Biren said that collaborative efforts of the two governments with entrepreneurs, historians and enthusiast to develop a tourism circuit in this wide area should be supported not only for promoting tourism but for preserving the history and relics of those forgotten battles of world war II.

The Chief Minister said that the two States could make something together even in the area of sports stating that both the States can produce sportspersons even in the international arena. He further said that there is a need for extensive and meaningful people to people interactions and between institutions for collaboration and partnership in the area of entrepreneurship, skill development, commerce, arts, culture, films and theatre.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, who graced the occasion as guest of honour, said that North eastern states have huge potentials and tremendous talent that needs to be tapped and exposed to other parts of the world.

He also sought to dispel the misconception that Northeast prevalent in the rest of the country that NE people are common as tribal people. Khandu said that each NE tribe is unique with distinct culture and tradition, speaks different dialect and cultural identity. He encouraged the younger generation to preserve their respective cultural identity.

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang in his welcome address thanked the chief guest and the guest of honour acknowledging the dynamic leadership of the two Chief Ministers of neighbouring states. Zeliang called for common development strategy of all the North Eastern States for Act East Policy on the occasion. He also extended his greetings to everyone in the festival.

Various cultural troupes performed on Day-5 of the festival. (Page News Service)